Fracture apparatus



(No Model.)

H. H. CLARK.

FRAoTU-RB APPARATUS.'

,839. Patented Sept. 13, 1887.

N PETERS.mmlunmgmpm. wnzlungmm D4 c LII @nutren dramas Partnr @trice HULBERT H. CLARK, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

FRACTURE. APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,839, dated September 13, 1887.

`Application tiled November 13,1886. Serial No 218,798. (No model.) v

To all whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that I, HULBERT H. CLARK, of Danville, in the county ofVermillion and State ofIllinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fracture Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to splints or apparatus for the treatment of fractures or injuries ofthe limbs, more especially the lower ones.

The objects of my invention are, rst, to make a splint of great simplicity and durability, and at the same time so arrange the parts that the wholemay be compactly put tof gether for transportation; second, to so construct the parts that they may be readily adjusted and applied to any sized limb by means of sliding and hinged tubes; third, to construct the foot-rack so that it may be adjusted to any angle desired, and lengthened or shortcned at will.

My invention consists of certain details of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and spe-V cifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my splint. Fig. 2 is a View in detail, showing the body-band; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal View, partly in section, of the tube and rod which connects the footrack.

Similar letters referto similar parts throughout the'several views.

The frame of my splintis formed of two side bars or tubes, A A, connected, preferably, by means of Inetallic spring-bands d, which may, if desired, be attached directly to the tubes, as shown at c', or fastened to metallic straps or clamping devices b b". 'Ihese spring-bands d tie and hold the two side bars or tubes of the frame at proper distances apart, and by the tension they exert when acted upon by the straps or fastening devices used to secure the splints to the limb keep the limb in the hammock and separate the sides of the frame from too close contact with the limb. Each side of said frame consists, preferably, of a series of metallic tubes, B, B', B, and B, adapted to slide one within vthe other, and be securely held in any desired position by the clamps b Vthereby rendering the frame capable of being adjusted to any length.

The metallic straps or clamps bfb", above mentioned, are preferably secured in any suitable manner to one end of each of the sections or tubes B B, and project beyond the ends of said tubes. These clamps fit snugly around the sections or tubes B and B", and are adapted to be tightened thereon by means of a screw, x, which passes through the free ends of said clamp. It is obvious that after the clamps are screwed up tightly they will securely hold the tubes in a firm position and preventthe same from slipping or rotating when in use.

The sections or tubes B and B on each side ofthe frame are connected by means o f a knuckle or hinge joint, D. On the under side of the tubes or sections B,near the joint, are pivotally secured the segments or semicircular ilat pieces c e. The free ends of such pieces pass through slots e in the sections or tubes B, and are secured therein at any desired pnosition by means of the thumb-screwf. It will thus be seen that the joint may be placed at any angle and securely held in such position by means of said segments and thumb-screws.

To the tube or section B of theouter side of the frame A is connected by means of a knuckle or hinge joint, g, a short tube, C, and secured to this tube is a pelvis-band, W, composed of two pieces, F F', arranged to have a sliding movement upon each other, preferably made of steel, and having their ends turned over, as shown, to form clamps h 71,. This band is adapted to cross the front of the body, and the portion F of the band is connected to a short tube, O. -This band forms part ofthe means by which the frame is connected to the body.

rlhe bands F Il" are held together by means of wide dat rings c' fi, which lit the pieces loosely. I also form in the bands F iB" small holes or perforations at suitable distances apart for the reception of set-screws Kto which are secured rings k. In the clamps h h', I loosely secure rings Z Z. Through the rings above described are carried straps of sufdcient length to fasten the saine in a proper manner to the body.

To the tubes C and C are also attached a pelvis-band of cotton drilling or other suitable substance or material, and which is secured by lacing, tabs, and buckles, or other well-known means.

'Io the section or tube B of the inner side, A, of the frame I loosely secure a removable perineal pad, H, for the twofold purpose of protection of the soft tissues against which it may impinge, and thatit may be used as a means of counter-extension. To this pad is attached asuitable strap, H, which may surround the limb and serve to retain the pad in position. 'Ihe foot-rack consists of two rods or bolts, MM, screw-threaded for a portion of their length and which have a telescopic Inovement in the tubes B B, and are therein secured and operated by means of nuts mimworkingin a funestrated enlargement, mm, formed on the ends of the tubes BWB. This arrangement allows the extension or relaxation in a very delicate manner of the tension brought to bear upon the parts inclosed within the splint. Passing through holes u a in the rods M M are two loosely-pivoted rods, o 0', which u allow the external and internal shafts to be separated or brought in closer contact, as may be required,and when adjusted are secured by means of set-screws p. The rods o o' are iiattened, as shown, and to the rod o is secured in any suitable manner the foot-board L,which may be constructed of any size or form suitable, but preferably as shown.

Upon the under side of the foot-board L, and securely fastened thereto, are the semicircular metal bands s s, provided with slots s s. The bands s s pass over the rod o, and are secured thereto by means of set-screws and bolts t t, the slots in the bands allowing the foot-boards to be adjusted at any angle desired.

I do not desire to be understood as confining myself strictly to the above means of constructing a splint, as I may form a splint without the hinged portion, or employ and connect the parts by several hinged joints. I may also make portions of the frame of wood or other material, and also substitute other well-known means for securing the tubes and several parts together, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In application I employ bands of muslin,

straps, and splints of wood or tin, or other well-known means, to secure and bandage the limb in the frame.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A splint or frame `constructed of metal tubes adapted to slide within each other and secured and held together by sp ring-bands and clamps, the hinged portion D D, pivoted segments c e, and thumb-screws f, in combination with an adjustable foot-rack, screw-threaded rods M M', nut m, and fui-cated portions m m', substantially as shown, and for the purposes specified.

2. A splint or frame constructed of tubes adapted to slide within each other, the connecting spring-bands d, clamps b, hinged portions D, and means for adjusting the same,

hinged tube C, and pelvis-band composed of 7o the parts F F', adapted to slide upon each other and turned up at their ends to form clamps, and rings 7c and l, substantially as described.

3. In a splint, a frame formed of tubes adapted to slide within each other andconnected and secured by metal bands and clamps, the hinged portion and means to secure the same at an angle, the short tube C and pelvisbands adapted to' be extended or -counter-extended and provided with rings, in combination with an adjustable foot-rack secured to pivoted rods, the metal slotted bandsss, screwthreaded rods M, and furcated portion m and nuts m, substantially as shown and described.

4. Ay frame composed of adjustable tubes connected by bands and clamps, in combination with an adjustable perineal pad and an adjustable foot-rack secured to rod o', slotted bands s s, secured by screws and nuts to pivoted rod o, screw-threaded rod M M, nuts m m, and furcated portions m m, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of 95 two witnesses.

. HULBERT I-I. CLARK.

Witnesses:

W. BoYcE, P. J. WATERMAN. 

